From the Classroom to the Capitol: Matt Meyer's Leadership Journey - Episode 48

Imagine transforming recycled tires into a thriving footwear business, then pivoting to reduce homelessness and run for governor. Sounds impossible, right? Not for Matt Meyer, this week’s Outside Insights guest. I had the privilege of speaking with Meyer to explore his approach to leadership, the impactful initiatives he's been part of, and his vision for Delaware's future.

Matt's desire to make a positive impact was strong even before his teaching and political career, starting with a move to Kenya. After serving as a diplomat in Iraq, where he was embedded with the army, Matt returned to the U.S. and—you wouldn’t have guessed it—began teaching sixth and seventh-grade math. 

During his time as a teacher, he became dissatisfied with the state's education system. Driven by a desire to create meaningful change, Meyer decided to run for office. Despite initial skepticism from his family and the challenge of facing a well-established incumbent, his grassroots campaign led to an unexpected victory. This experience underscored his belief in community-driven initiatives and the power of perseverance—both popular topics here at Outside Insights.

Matt's desire to make a positive impact was strong even before his teaching and political career and started with a move to Kenya. There, he co-founded a footwear company that created sandals from recycled tires.  This venture provided employment and economic opportunities in one of Nairobi's poorest neighborhoods and the challenges and successes of this endeavor gave him a unique perspective on economic development.

Today, as the chief executive of New Castle County, Delaware’s largest county, Matt Meyer oversees essential services such as law enforcement, emergency response, libraries, parks, and affordable housing. His leadership focuses on practical solutions that directly impact people’s lives over political rhetoric.

“We don’t make promises, we make plans, and then our job is to turn those plans into real progress.” – Matt Meyer

Meyer’s vision for Delaware as governor is focused on three key areas: improving education, healthcare, and housing. Drawing on his background as a teacher, he aims to elevate Delaware’s education system. In healthcare, he seeks to make services more accessible and effective, inspired by his wife’s experience as an emergency room physician. Additionally, he plans to tackle the state’s affordable housing shortage to ensure more Delawareans have stable homes.

To learn more about Matt’s journey and vision for Delaware, listen to the full podcast episode here. For more inspiring stories and actionable insights, tune into the Outside Insights podcast. You never know who our next guest will be!

Until next time friends,

Chris